SOP-3.1.5.

Standard Operating Procedure 3.1.5.3

By Coyote Creek Riparian Station

Turbidity Measurement using the Dual Cylinder Method

This test is made by comparing the transparency (and/or turbidity) of a measured
amount of the sample with an identical amount of turbidity-free water containing
a measured amount of standardized turbidity reagent.

Equipment:
Turbidity kit (Lamotte or any other brand)
Distilled water or deionized water
Paper towels

1. Fill one of the turbidity columns (cylinders) to the 50 ml line with the
sample water. If the black dot on the bottom of the tube is not visible
when looking down through the column of liquid, pour out a sufficient
amount of the test sample so that the tube is filled to the 25 ml line. If the
dot is still invisible, add distilled water or deionized water to the 50 ml
line, mix well by using the palm of your hand as a stopper and inverting
several times, discard the top 25 ml, and record that the sample has been
diluted by a factor of 2.
2. Fill the second turbidity column with an amount of turbidity-free water
that is equal to the amount of sample being measured. Distilled water is
preferred; however, clear tap water may be used. This is the “clear water”
tube.
3. Place the two tubes side by side and note the difference in clarity. If the
black dot is equally clear in both tubes, the turbidity is “0”. If the black
dot in the sample tube is less clear, proceed to Step 4.
4. Shake Standard Turbidity Reagent (7520) vigorously. Add 0.5 ml to the
“clear water” tube. Use the stirring rod to stir contents of both tubes to
equally distribute turbid particles. Wipe off the stirring rod before using
when going between tubes. Check for amount of turbidity by looking
down through the solution at the black dot. If the turbidity of the sample
is greater than that of the “clear water”, continue to add Standard Turbidity
Reagent in 0.5 ml increments to the “clear water” tube, mixing after each
addition, until the turbidity equals that of the sample.
5. Each 0.5 ml addition to the 50 ml size sample is equal to 5 Jackson
Turbidity Units (JTU’s). If a 25 ml sample size is used, each 0.5 ml
addition of the Standard Turbidity Reagent is equal to 10 Jackson
Turbidity Units (See table below for multiplications). If you have diluted

The Clean Water Team Guidance Compendium for Watershed Monitoring and Assessment
State Water Resources Control Board 9183093.doc 10/18/2008 Page 1
 SOP-3.1.5.3

the sample with distilled water, multiply the JTU result by the dilution
factor.
6. Record turbidity in JTUs on your data sheet.
7. Discard water into the waste bucket. Rinse both tubes carefully after each
determination. When you return from the field, discard liquid waste from
the waste bucket into a sink connected to a sewer system (not a septic
tank).

TURBIDITY TEST RESULTS

Number Of Amount in ml 50 ml Graduation 25 ml Graduation
Measured Additions
1 0.5 5 JTU 10 JTU
2 1.0 10 JTU 20 JTU
3 1.5 15 JTU 30 JTU
4 2.0 20 JTU 40 JTU
5 2.5 25 JTU 50 JTU
6 3.0 30 JTU 60 JTU
7 3.5 35 JTU 70 JTU
8 4.0 40 JTU 80 JTU
9 4.5 45 JTU 90 JTU
10 5.0 50 JTU 100 JTU
15 7.5 75 JTU 150 JTU
20 10.0 100 JTU 200 JTU

Monitoring Tips
Most of the time the water in our creeks has low turbidity, unless there are erosion
problems in the watershed, children playing in the mud upstream of our station, or
it has just rained. If the oxygen bottle can hardly be seen inside the sampling
apparatus, the sample should be diluted (in tap water or deionized water) and
calculate the results accordingly. During low flows the creek water may be totally
transparent, and we may take a “shortcut” and record <5 JTU without adding the
reagent at all.

The Clean Water Team Guidance Compendium for Watershed Monitoring and Assessment
State Water Resources Control Board 9183093.doc 10/18/2008 Page 2